How to Install a Toilet in New Construction

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Things You'll Need

  • Hack saw

  • Plumber’s glue

  • Closet Flange

  • Drill

  • Screws

  • Wax Ring

Toilets are not difficult to install and remove.

Installing a toilet on your own instead of hiring a plumber can save money. The job can be physically demanding but is not hard with the right tools and information. With the plumbing already roughed in, installing a toilet is a matter of attaching the flange to the floor, the toilet to the flange, and finally attaching the water supply line.

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Step 1

Cut the drain pipe even with the surface of the floor. It should be even with the finished floor, not the subfloor. Make sure it is even with the tiles, for example, not the plywood and hardy board or slab underneath.

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Step 2

Slide the closet flange over the pipe. The flange should slide around the pipe and the collar should settle snugly on the floor. Rotate the flange until the slots on either side are positioned to the right and left of the hole facing where the toilet will be. Use plumber’s glue to fasten it and screw the collar into the floor.

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Step 3

Place the wax ring flat side down over the flange. Insert the long brass bolts that come with the toilet into the flange collar slots.

Step 4

Lift the toilet over the flange and lower it onto the bolts and wax seal, twisting or rocking it. Press down until the base of the bowl rests on the floor.

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Step 5

Place a washer over each bolt and tighten a nut on each to fasten the toilet in place on the floor. Don’t over tighten the nuts or you could crack the toilet.

Step 6

Trim the bolts two threads above the tightened nuts using the hack saw. Snap the plastic bolt covers into place.

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Step 7

Insert the hose from the toilet tank into the exposed water supply line, fastening it with a compression nut before opening the supply valve and allowing the toilet tank to fill with water.

Tip

When gluing the PVC flange in place, be sure to move quickly to prevent the glue from drying while the flange is out of position.

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